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#4buck
#4buck
What do you think about batteries?
Jun 8 2012, 8:04 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 8 2012, 9:14 PM EDT
I'm almost finished coverting all my battery powered emergency devices to those that run off AA batteries, rather than AAA or C or CR123 or others I can't even name.

I still own AAA, C and D cell flashlights and radios, and I'll keep them so I can use whatever batteries I find if we ever get to the point of scrounging, but for my immediate use and planning, I've settled on AA.

I have really nice 2 AA Coast LED flashlights, 2 AA Maglites converted to LED and some great 1 AA mini lights with the brand name Trustfire. My AM/FM/SW radios use AA as do the walkie-talkies.

I've done this because I think AA is the most readily-available battery in the U.S., which makes it easiest to find and most affordable, and being one of the smallest batteries, you can pack or carry more of them.

Thoughts? Do you find this valuable?    
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Oakspar77777
Oakspar77777
1. RE: What do you think about batteries?
Jun 8 2012, 8:45 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 8 2012, 8:45 PM EDT
Batteries do degrade over time, so stockpiling them becomes an exercise in burning money. They are, however, rather long lived, so the batteries you find ten years down the road (if dry) should still work fine (if for only about 50% of the duration they would have new).

When you are scavanging, you might find that AA's may be the most common, but the AAA is also very common (in remotes). Make sure you scavenge inside of TV and ceiling fan remotes as well as old game boys, toys, and videogame controllers.

A solar AA battery recharger exist, but any savings from solar are lost on the cost of the unit and the cost of rechargable batteries (but still something to consider if they are that critical to you).

I would personally want you to consider how much you really need electricity and how you could do better without past a short term situation. Do you find this valuable?    
StrykerPez
StrykerPez
2. RE: What do you think about batteries?
Jun 8 2012, 9:50 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 8 2012, 9:50 PM EDT
I've got rechargeables in everything, and several chargers ( AA, AAA, 9V, C, & D). I can charge batteries by solar, the cigarette lighter, house power, even MacGuyver'd a plug so I can use a 14.4V DeWalt drill battery to charge em :-P

CR123 batteries are overpriced pieces of poop. Only a few shady Chinese manufactures make rechargeable ones and even then you gotta buy like minimum 200 order from Alibaba. No thanks. I don't own any devices that use em anymore. Do you find this valuable?    
Uzzgub
Uzzgub
3. RE: What do you think about batteries?
Jun 8 2012, 11:19 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 8 2012, 11:19 PM EDT
I'm saveing to buy a solar charger for all my USB items i.e.Ipod, phone etc. but as for flash-lights I have 4 wind up ones that can be charged from the mains (and the charger makes a noise when the power cuts so you can find it in the dark =) now I also have a 3 cell Maglight but that isnt used often so I don't keep a large stock of batteries for it.

I'm also thinking about getting the (but not from here)

http://www.bronzemoonoutdoors.co.uk/online-shop/brunton-solarroll-14

to power a small laptop but it would be a long time before getting it (if I did)

So rounding of this ramble (its 04.11am and im still at work =( try and get a solar charger for what ever you use most and also have a look for the wind up ECO items because it cuts the need for the a large stock pile of batteries, so they can be used for the "more important" items. Do you find this valuable?